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MEMOIR 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. 



EAD AT A DINNER 



WILLIAM T. RUSSELL'S, 

ON THE 7th DAY OF MARCH, 



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M E M O I E. 



At a social meeting of some of the friends 
of our fellow citizen, Joseph Grinnell, 
where the prominent interests of our city 
were freely discussed, attention was turned 
to the fact, that in most of the late improve- 
ments which have resulted in the prosperity 
of New Bedford, to no one were we so much 
indebted for the completion of various valua- 
ble institutions as to our above-named friend ; 
and a general desire was expressed that the 
prominent features of his life — especially since 
he voluntarily abandoned a most lucrative 
and honorable position in the city of New 
York, where great wealth seemed to be 
awaiting his prosperous pursuit, to return 



MEMOIR OF 



to his native town, possessing a moderate 
competency, and here to devote himself to 
the friendships of his earliest days, and join 
hands with those who were contributing 
their time and means to the substantial im- 
provement and adorning of their native city 
— might be obtained. 

A committee was thereupon requested to 
obtain the date of his return, and also the 
dates which marked the principal incidents 
in relation to the material interests of his 
native place since his return ; together with 
an account of the services which he has 
so faithfully performed for the benefit of 
the community at large. 

The committee has been gratified by the 
courteous reply to its inquiries, and are thus 
enabled to furnish the statements that all 
were anxious to receive, which are embodied 
as follows. 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. O 

i 

Mr. Grinnell was born in New Bedford, 
Mass., in a small brick house in "Water Street, 
which appears to be one of the earliest land- 
marks of the old town (and no one seems to 
know who was the builder thereof), on the 
17th of November, 1788. He resided for 
twenty years of his early manhood in the 
city of New York, in active business as a 
commission merchant in company with his 
uncle, John H. Howland, under the firm 
of " Howland & Grinnell," from 1810 to 
1814 ; with Preserved Fish, under the firm 
of " Fish & Grinnell," from 1815 to 1825 ; 
and with his brothers Henry and Moses 
Grinnell, under the firm of " Fish, Grin- 
nell & Co.," from 1825 to 1829. Some 
sketch of these various firms, it is under- 
stood, we are to have in a work now being 
prepared by Pelatiah Perritt, Esq., Pre- 
sident of the Chamber of Commerce of that 
city, entitled "The Commerce and Merchants 



6 MEMOIR OF 

of New York." Mr. Grinnell retired from 
the firm of " Fish, Grinnell & Co.," in 
January, 1829, leaving an extensive and 
profitable business. His health, being im- 
paired, he then, with Mrs. Grinnell and 
his adopted daughter (now Mrs. N. P. Wil- 
lis), made a visit to Europe, and returned 
in the autumn of 1830. After which, with 
the full approval of Mrs. Grinnell, who at 
first had doubts, he determined to return 
to his native town and pass the remainder 
of his days. To this happy conclusion the 
citizens of New Bedford will ever have cause 
to acknowledge the benefits derived from 
the energy and honesty of a single individual 
when exerted for the common good. Mr. 
Grinnell's first attention was directed to 
the building of a house to live in, and he 
was fortunate in obtaining a beautiful loca- 
tion, commanding a fine view of Buzzard's 
Bay, and which had attracted his admiration 
in younger days. Those who are old enough 



JOSEPH GRIN NELL. 



to remember that waste spot in the outskirts 
of the old town, cannot fail to be struck by 
the contrast now presented. It is trans- 
formed into one of the ornaments of the 
city. 

In 1831 we find our friend permanently 
established among us, restored to health, and 
again entering upon active business. He 
then caused to be built for himself and 
others, two first-class ships, of live-oak and 
locust — the " Oneida" and " George Wash- 
ington " — the former for a China trader, 
and the latter for a packet-ship between 
New York and Liverpool. Both proved to 
be superior and successful vessels. The 
George Washington continued in the packet 
business for twelve years, being a longer term 
than is usually allowed for any vessel to 
remain, where fancy and utility are necessa- 
rily combined to retain popularity, in a trade 
subject to the most exciting competition ; 
and as a proof of superiority during these 



8 



MEMOIR OF 



twelve years, the underwriters were never 
called upon to pay a cent for damage to her 
many valuable cargoes. That proved her 
strength and excellence. In sailing she was 
not deficient. On one occasion, in conse- 
quence of easterly gales, a dozen European 
packet-ships were detained below New York, 
and great was the rivalry as to the shortest 
passage. The George Washington won. 
That the Oneida was also a success, it is only 
necessary to state that she is at this moment 
on a passage from China. These ships were 
both built by Jetheo and Zacharxah 
Hillman. 

In 1832 the Marine Bank was established, 
and Mr. Grinnell was unexpectedly (to 
himself) elected to the Presidency. He has 
held the office now for more than thirty 
years, and the Bank has ever done a safe 
and successful business. 

In 1838 it was proposed to build a Rail- 
road from New Bedford to Taunton, to 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. 9 

perfect the lines between New Bedford, 
Providence and Boston. This was an enter- 
prise which met with but little encourage- 
ment from capitalists ; and those engaged in 
stage lines, foreseeing the destruction of 
their business, closed their books to those 
who were in search of statistics to ascertain 
the feasibility of the plan, from an estimate 
of the travel by the established lines of 
egress from the city. But to this project 
Mr. Grinnell gave his hearty support, and 
early in 1839 a company was organized, and, 
when a charter was granted, the Presidency 
was pressed upon this indefatigable laborer in 
the cause. He accepted the office, in the 
hope of throwing it off when the road was 
completed. 

It was finished July 1, 1840, for less than 
the estimated cost, and before the appointed 
time. But Mr. Grinkell has never been 
" relieved." This enterprise has proved emi- 



10 MEMOIR OF 

nently successful, and has been of vast 
advantage to this city. 

In 1838 Mr. Grinnell was elected one 
of the Council of Massachusetts — Edward 
Everett being Governor. In 1839 he was 
re-elected to the office — Marcus Morton 
being Governor ; and in 1840 he was again 
elected — John Davis being Governor. Thus, 
during the administration of various parties, 
he faithfully served the Commonwealth, and 
with peculiar fitness was placed each year 
on the Committee of Accounts, and we may 
safely say there was in those years no embez- 
zlement of the people's money. 

In 1840 Mr. Grinnell was chosen a 
Director of the Boston & Providence Rail- 
road, and in 1841 President thereof. This 
position brought him in contact with some 
of the prominent men of Boston ; amongst 
others, William Sturgis, Nathan and 
William Appleton, Abbot Lawrence, and 
others. His intercourse with them was 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. 11 

of the most friendly character, and from 
them he derived much valuable information. 
No doubt he was equally able to impart 
much in return. This presidency he re- 
signed in 1846, leaving the Corporation in 
a prosperous condition. 

He retained the office of Director in the 
Company until January, 1863, when he de- 
clined a re-election, and received a unani- 
mous vote of thanks for his long and faithful 
services. 

In 1843 Mr. Grinnell was elected a mem- 
ber of the 27th Congress, to fill the vacancy 
occasioned by the death of Barker Burnell, 
of Nantucket. He was returned at the 
three succeeding elections, making alto- 
gether a service of eight years in the House 
of Representatives. He declined being a 
candidate for another election. If he had 
any opponents at these several elections, 
their names are forgotten. The first Com- 
mittee on which he was appointed, was that 



12 



MEMOIR OF 



of " Post Offices and Post Roads." On this 
lie labored zealously for the reduction of 
postage. He prepared the first tables show- 
ing the amount of postage collected in each 
State, and the amount paid for transporting 
the mails in the same, so that the gain or 
loss could be seen at a glance. 

In conjunction with Mr. Dana, of New 
York, he made a report to the House, re- 
commending the reduction of postage on a 
single letter to fiye cents, which after much 
discussion and excitement was adopted, and 
it became a law. Subsequently he was placed 
on the Committee of Commerce, and Chair- 
man thereof. Here was a position in which 
it might emphatically be said he was " at 
home ; " but the first place on the committee 
he soon yielded to a political friend of higher 
aspirations. This friend was Washington 
Hunt, who afterwards was elected Governor 
of the State of New York. 

Nevertheless he did not relax his labors 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. 13 

in the Committee, and continued his services 
on the same to the end of his last official 
term. 

During these several terms of Congres- 
sional service, the election to which was 
neither bought or sought for, Mr. Grinkell 
drew up, reported and carried through the 
House of Representatives many bills of na- 
tional importance. The reduction of post- 
age has already been mentioned. He obtain- 
ed the first appropriation for building and 
placing Life Boats at exposed points on the 
sea-coast, together with the apparatus neces- 
sary for the saving of persons shipwrecked, 
the success of which has fully proved the 
wisdom of the appropriation. Another im- 
portant bill was for the ventilation of pas- 
senger ships, and other arrangements to pro- 
mote the comfort and health of the passen- 
gers. This met with serious opposition from 
ship-owners, some of whom were his own 
relatives, and some were his constituents. 



14 



MEMOIR OF 



Others, again, throwing aside apparent self- 
interest, encouraged him to persevere. This 
bill, much to the satisfaction of Mr. Grin- 
nell, after a severe struggle, passed success- 
fully through the House and the Senate, and 
received the approval of President Polk. 
It now remains on the Statute Book with- 
out aliy material alteration. Soon after it 
was put in force, ship-fever disappeared, and 
it is now admitted by all to be a useful and 
wholesome law. Moreover* it has drawn 
from persons connected with the British 
Government an acknowledgment of its excel- 
lent provisions, and that we were in advance 
of them in philanthropic care for their 
emigrants. 

One other bill introduced by Mr. Grinnell 
may be mentioned, which has proved of great 
value to ship-owners. It provided for the 
recording of Bills of Sale and Mortgages of 
Vessels, giving to this class of property the 
same perfection of title as that to real estate. 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. 15 

This met with some opposition from the Ex- 
ecutive department, on the ground that it 
could not be executed ; yet it became a law, 
and has proved, by long experience, not only 
to be very useful, but without difficulty in 
its enforcement. 

We now enter upon a new phase of Mr, 
Grixxell's business transactions, which 
shows his practical judgment and foresight. 
Only when time and circumstances concur 
to promise a successful result, has he been 
induced to enter upon any enterprise, how- 
ever tempting the prospect. 

In 1845, when the manufacture of cotton 
was very profitable, he was strongly urged 
to take part in the erection of a Cotton Mill 
in New Bedford. This he declined, on the 
ground that the high prices which ruled in 
every department of the enterprise, presented 
nothing but prospective disappointment. But 
he was fully convinced that the time had 
come, when a part of the accumulated capital 



16 MEMOIR OF 

which had been derived from the whale fish- 
ery should be diverted from that special busi- 
ness, and invested in manufacturing and other 
objects that would prove more profitable. 

In 1847 a reaction in manufacturing oc- 
curred. Then Mr. Grinnell urged his 
friends to unite in the erection of a Cotton 
Mill. After great effort a capital of one hun- 
dred and sixty thousand dollars was sub- 
scribed, and a company under the title of the 
" Wamsutta Mills " was organized. 

Here again, after the act of incorporation 
was obtained, the Presidency was thrust upon 
him ; for whatever distrust he might feel in 
regard to taking the responsibility, his co- 
partners were determined to take no refusal. 

A lot of land was purchased, with a supply 
of water, of Benjamin Rodman, with whom 
and the New Bedford & Taunton Railroad 
Corporation many liberal and advantageous 
arrangements were made, so that the mill 
was connected with the Railroad and tide* 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. 17 

water, to its great convenience and profit. 
The stock of the corporation has been in- 
creased from time to time, until it now 
amounts to one million of dollars. It has 
made liberal dividends, after paying all taxes 
and retaining sufficient means to meet all 
depreciation in the value of buildings and 
machinery. 

In passing, it may be remarked that the 
dividends of this company have amounted 
to one hundred and forty- eight and a half 
per cent, up to this time. 

But Mr. Grinnell does not claim for him- 
self the merit of this success. To Thomas 
Bennett, Jr., the Agent and Engineer of 
the establishment, he attributes the high 
reputation of the goods manufactured, and 
considers that the stockholders are largely 
indebted for their profits to his constant 
attention and skill. So with all the institu- 
tions over which he presides, he acknow- 
ledges the aid of honest and efficient boards 



18 MEMOIR OF 

of directors, who have lightened his labors 
and shared his responsibility. And at the 
present time, neither of the corporations of 
which he is President stands upon the 
records as plaintiff or defendant. 

Thus the Committee has endeavored to 
trace the successful progress of the various 
institutions inaugurated and completed by 
the perseverance of Mr. Grinnell ; and it 
may be instructive to inquire by what means 
he has been able to concentrate these millions 
so as to make them minister to the prosperity 
of our city, and increase the comforts as well 
as the fortunes of our citizens. It finds a 
ready answer in the happy constitution of 
mind which has always adapted the proper 
means to the end in view. Without depend- 
ing upon fortuitous circumstances to produce 
desirable results, he, like a prudent man 
" about to build a house, first counts the 
cost." By this method he has been able to 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. 19 

demonstrate to the most scrutinizing capi- 
talist what might be deemed just expecta- 
tions, and those dependent upon figures 
could read their " title clear " to remune- 
rative dividends ; whilst others, less disposed 
to investigate closely, seeing the cautious 
steps which have marked his course through 
life, have been content to risk here and there 
a portion of their substance upon the ac- 
knowledged caution and honesty of the agent 
employed ; and both of these classes, as 
events have proved, have had their anticipa- 
tions more than realized. 

And now, were we merely reviewing Mr. 
Grinnell's business career, we might bring 
this Memoir to a close ; but when we remem- 
ber that we are all closely associated with its 
subject, in relations of courtesy and hospi- 
tality, which have been long enjoyed, the 
current of thought is changed, and we are 
painfully reminded that one event of the 
last year cannot fail to excite our deepest 



20 MEMOIR OF 

sympathy. That year closed and the new 
year dawned ; but it brought not the happy 
welcome the day is wont to call forth. The 
home of our friend was bereayed. One, who 
for fifty years had shared with him cheerfully 
and lovingly the toils and cares of life, and 
had gracefully extended that cordial hospi- 
tality which gave pleasure to all who entered 
their dwelling, was no longer there ! She 
departed as she lived, at peace with all. 
Impressed with the idea that her days were 
few, she sent greetings of affectionate re- 
membrance to all her friends, and as if that 
was too limited for her unbounded affection, 
exclaimed, " Give my love to all the world ! " 
And in beautiful accordance with the spirit 
in which she lived, the words of St. John — 
" If we love another, God dwelleth in us, 
and his love is perfected in us " — mark the 
spot where now she rests. 

But our Friend " still lives,' ' and though 
the shadows of evening are gathering about 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. 21 

him, yet we know that " The evening and 
morning were the first day," and long may 
the day last in which he may " work," as 
before, for the honor and prosperity of his 
native home — New Bedford. 



The foregoing Memoir was prepared, as 
stated in the introduction, at the suggestion 
of a few of the personal friends of the Hon. 
Joseph Grinnell, who — by his eminence 
among the merchants of the country, and by 
the value of his services in the public coun- 
cils, acquired and enhanced by his ability, his 
knowledge of affairs, and the stability and 
weight of his character — reflects so much 
honor on his native town, and who, by his 
generous and elegant hospitality, has done 
so much to extend its good name and fame 
among strangers. 

This outline sketch of an honorable and 
useful life, whose honor and usefulness are 



22 MEMOIR OF 

still recognized and felt in the efficient and 
genial activities of our business and social 
circles, is but a bare statement of events, and 
contains all that is proper to make at present 
a matter of record. 

May the time be very distant when it will 
become suitable and appropriate for his 
friends to gather together and complete it, 
as a Biography of a finished career — when 
they may do full justice to the divers phases 
of his character, and give due credit to his 
admirable consistency in following out the 
high purpose and plan of life which he con- 
ceived and prescribed to himself in early 
manhood. 

At a pleasant social gathering on the sev- 
enth of March, A.D. 1863, around the hos- 
pitable and well-appointed dinner -table of 
William T. Russell, the Memoir was read, 
and approved by the company. 

The occasion upon which its preparation 
was suggested was at a dinner-party, given by 



JOSEPH GRINNELL. 



23 



Mr. Benjamin Rodman, a few weeks previ- 
ous, the guests at which were Mrs. W. C. N. 
Swift and Miss Elizabeth Russell ; Messrs. 

Joseph Grinnell, William T. Russell, 
Joseph C. Delano, William J. Rotch, 
Joshua C. Stone, Chas S. Randall, 
and Leander Plummer. 

Those present at Mr. Russell's, when the 
Memoir was presented by Mr. Benjamin 
Rodman, to whom its preparation had been 
committed, were, besides Mr. Russell, his 
daughter Elizabeth and his son Gilbert 
Russell, Messrs. 

Joseph Grinnell, Benjamin Rodman, 
William Almy, John H. Clifford, 

William J. Rotch, W. C. N. Swift, 
E. C. Jones, J. C. Stone, 

Lawrence Grinnell, Chas. S. Randall, 
and Charles L. Wood. 



BOSTON : DAVID CLAPP, PRINTER. 



